Oregon RV Camping at Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon. The primary feature of the park is Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States and beautifully surrounded by sheer cliffs that are almost 2,000 feet high with two beautifully picturesque islands that sit out in the blue water.

Located in the Cascade Range, Crater Lake National Park has a violent volcanic history. The Mazama Volcano imploded around 5700 BC collapsing into itself leaving behind a crater 2,500 to 3,500 feet lower than the surrounding mountains. Within a few hundred years, this crater filled with water becoming what is known today as Crater Lake. This beautiful lake is a must see and makes for a wonderful Oregon RV camping destination.

The park is open year round although many roads and facilities close during the winter. There is a $10 fee to enter the park and it is valid for seven days. An annuals pass for Crater Lake National Park is $20, while an interagency pass costs $80 and grants access into most national parks. Crater Lake National Park gets over 533 inches of snow a year! The park is covered in a white blanket from October to June, and sometimes the snow lasts into July and August. November through April sees the most snow and driving conditions are often poor causing many roads and facilities to close down, but this is a wonderful time for skiing. Winter temperatures tend to average between 19 and 35 degrees. July, August and September tend to offer the best weather. The average temperature dating this time is 65 degrees during the day, although temperatures drop to around 40 degrees at night. Thunderstorms are common during these months, though, which bring high wind and lightning.

There are many ways to enjoy Crater Lake National Park, depending on when you visit and what you like to do. During the summer months, the park is much more accessible and there are many wonderful hiking trails. These trails vary greatly, from a hike down the steep mountains to the lake, or through old-growth forests or through wildflower meadows. By late spring the Rim Drive starts to open up. This is a scenic drive that takes you around the lake. The lake is a beautiful sight and swimming and boating are both allowed. Unlicensed fishing is also allowed with no restrictions on quantity, size or or species. Winters are long and snowy and since the park is open year round, the long winter and heavy snow makes Crater Lake National Park perfect for winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Regardless of when you visit or what activities you enjoy most, this park is a terrific Oregon RV camping destination!